Other teams of note include 2006 Canadian champion Jean-Michel Menard of Quebec, the first Francophone from Quebec to win the title and 2006 Olympic gold medallist Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Jamie Koe’s Yellowknife squad became the first Territories team to ever make the Brier playoffs last year in Saskatoon. Koe and his teammates are back to prove they remain contenders.

“You’ve got a strong field,” Howard said. “It’s one of the best.”

The top four teams at the conclusion of the round robin advance to the Page playoff.

The winner of the final March 10 represents Canada at the Ford Men’s World Championship in Victoria from March 30 to April 7.

Brier finalists each receive $40,000 in prize money, the bronze medallist gets $30,000 and the $20,000 goes to the fourth-place team.

The victor is eligible for $144,000 in Sport Canada funding over a two-year period and another $40,000 for training and competition expenses from Own The Podium.

The Brier winner also receives $10,000 for wearing the Tim Hortons crest at the world championship.

Howard and Stoughton have won major events in Edmonton during their careers.

The second of Stoughton’s three Canadian championships came in that city in 1999.

Howard won the world title as Canada’s representative there in 2007.

The opening draw is Saturday afternoon, but the evening draw that day a heavyweight battle of Stoughton versus Martin.

While the majority of Rexall Place will be pro-Martin, Stoughton is more concerned about his team getting its game going quickly.

“It’s always tougher at the start because everyone’s not sure of the rocks, not sure of the ice and where to put the broom,” the Winnipeg skip said. “It may not be your typical 85 or 90 per cent game.”